Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson made a return to the Test side as if he had never left. On Day 1 of the 1st Test between England and New Zealand, the star Kiwi player scored a magnificent 93, braving the tough conditions. However, Williamson missed out on a well-deserving hundred as he departed for 93, just seven runs short of the three-figure mark. This was the first time since 2018 when Williamson departed in nervous nineties and could not complete his hundred in Test cricket.
” It was challenging, we had to work hard, some good partnerships, but the wicket was pretty good. I was just trying to adjust as to where to run (on being asked about the slippery surface), we applied ourselves well, pretty balanced day with both teams getting some rewards. An interesting day’s play overall. From our perspective, we were pleased with partnerships throughout, the ball was doing a bit and we felt we got some rewards towards the end of the day,” Williamson told the broadcasters after Day 1.
Williamson takes NZ out of trouble
Williamson admitted that the conditions were tough to battle it out and there was also a sense of nervousness in his mind on making comeback.
“The ball was doing a bit throughout, there was some sideways movement and bounce, (Brydon) Carse extracted it well, with the wind he made the ball do a bit. Was nervous (on his comeback), watched the series and the team did amazingly well there in India, it was a great achievement (to win 3-0),” he added.
Williamson makes comeback
Williamson scored 93 off 197 balls and took New Zealand past 220. He struck 10 fours in his knock. The Kiwi batter reached his 36th Test half-century in style and solidified his reputation as one of New Zealand’s finest. With this innings, Williamson’s Test career tally stands at 8,974 runs from 103 matches, boasting an impressive average of 54.71.
This was Williamson’s 20th half-century on home soil, coming during his 50th Test match in New Zealand. He narrowly missed out on 33rd Test hundred after being dismissed by Gus Atkinson.
